The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), together with its partners, Australian AID, The Asia Foundation, Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF), held a project consultation meeting in Northern Samar on July 14, 2015 for the project "LGU-DENR partnership in the implementation of the Residential Free Patent Act (RA10023). Present during the meeting were Efren Sabong (Provincial Administrator), Eduardo Custorio (Provincial Assessor), Elias Aya-ay (DENR), Melba Arino (DENR), Napoleon Gacusan (DENR), Denms Armo (FAMN), Winston Solite (DENR), Ramon Unay (DENR), Dr. Diana Apistar (FEF), Loubert Tan (FEF).
The consultation meeting aims to create a partnership between the DENR of Northern Samar and the Provincial Local Government Unit by creating a desk office in the provincial government to help facilitate requirements needed to qualify for the Residential Free Patent Act. The partnership will not only expedite the land titling process but will also help increase the number of titles issued to residential public lands.